€1.5bn UK-Norway power link contracts awarded

Contracts worth €1.5 billion (£1bn) to build the first electricity link between the UK and Norway have been awarded. The ‘NSN Link’, expected to be the world’s longest interconnector, will […]

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By Priyanka Shrestha

Tuesday 14 July 2015

Image: Thinkstock

Contracts worth €1.5 billion (£1bn) to build the first electricity link between the UK and Norway have been awarded.

The ‘NSN Link’, expected to be the world’s longest interconnector, will have a capacity of 1,400MW and run from Blyth in Northumberland in the UK to Kvilldal in Rogaland in Norway.

Engineering giant ABB will provide the converter stations for both countries and cable supplier Prysmian will install 950km of submarine and land cables for both the UK and Norwegian North Sea sections.

Nexans will supply 500km of onshore connection in Norway.

The project is a joint venture between the UK’s National Grid and Norwegian transmission system operator Statnett.

Alan Foster, National Grid’s Director of European Business Development said: “The benefits to both the UK and Norway are huge and when completed the link will deliver low carbon electricity for the UK and also add to security of supply for Norwegian consumers.”